The proportion of A* grades awarded to A-level students today will be double
that predicted by the examinations regulator, according to a survey by The
Times. It indicates that almost one in six A-level exams has been marked
at A*, with huge variations between schools and subjects.

A high proportion of A* grades will embarrass government officials and raise
awkward questions for ministers striving to restore credibility to A levels,
which have been dropped by some independent schools for not providing enough
challenge to bright sixth-formers.

The grade was supposed to create another tier of excellence, so that
universities could